Pak hopes to bat India out of the match

Lahore:Describing his first Test century against India in Lahore on Tuesday as one of his best knocks, Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq indicated he was looking to bat the visitors out of the second cricket Test.

Pakistan managed to turn around their fortunes in the three-Test series with centuries from opener Imran Farhat and Inzamam which helped them reach 355 for three on the second day in reply to India's 287.

"The first session tomorrow will be very important. If we keep our wickets intact, we could put up 500 or 600 on the board," said the skipper who was unbeaten on 118.

The total gave the hosts a lead of 68 runs over India, a dramatic change in tides after the innings and 52-run defeat in the first Test at Multan.

Nevertheless, the skipper said Wednesday would be another crucial day and the batsmen would have to "continue their good work". The Pakistani captain, who hit his first Test hundred against India, said, "it was a very important day" for his team. "The boys were very confident, they had worked hard in the nets. Umar Gul gave us a very good session yesterday."

He praised Farhat whose 101 off 204 balls was his second century in Tests. "He batted very well," he said, adding, "we had to work hard (at the crease) because Indians were bowling a very good line." "Batting was difficult (today), it was one of the best knocks I had played," he said. Farhat said he very much enjoyed his hundred, coming as it was against archrivals India.

"It is a big achievement for me. I always wanted to score a century against India," he said. The 22-year old left-hander said he "worked hard after the Multan Test" where he got good starts but failed to build on them.

"(Coach) Javed bhai told me to be mentally prepared. He said leave alone the good balls and wait for the loose deliveries," he said.

Dedicating the innings to his family, he said, "my teammates have congratulated me and expect me to play longer innings in the future."